Azalea plant named `Wendy`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Azalea plant named `Wendy`, characterized by its upright, outwardly arching, and freely branching growth habit; attractive semi-double, pink-colored flowers with dark purple-spotted/speckled centers; and good postproduction longevity.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Azalea,botanically known as Rhododendron simsii, and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name `Wendy`.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in Geldern, Germany. The objective of the breeding programis to create new Azalea cultivars that grow rapidly and have uniformplant habit and attractive flower colors. The new cultivar originatedfrom a cross made by the inventor of the nonpatented cultivar `KnutErwin` as the male, or pollen, parent with the nonpatented cultivar`Heursel` as the female, or seed, parent. The cultivar `Wendy` wasdiscovered and selected by the inventor as a seedling within the progenyof the stated cross in a controlled environment in Geldern, Germany, in1989. Plants of the new Azalea were first flowered in 1991.

Compared to plants of the male parent, the red-flowered cultivar `KnutErwin`, plants of the new Azalea flower earlier and differ in leafshape. Compared to plants of the female parent, the lilac-floweredcultivar `Heursel`, plants of the new Azalea grow faster and flowerearlier.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken atGeldern, Germany, has shown that the unique features of this new Azaleaplant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generationsof asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Wendy`. These characteristics incombination distinguish the new Azalea plant as a new and distinctcultivar:

1. Upright and outwardly arching growth habit.

2. Very freely branching.

3. Attractive semi-double, pink-colored flowers with dark purple-spotted/speckled centers.

4. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Azalea can be compared to plants of the cultivar`Gloria` (not patented). However in side-by-side comparisons in Geldern,Germany, under commercial practice, plants of the new Azalea differ inflower color and are less compact, grow faster and flower earlier thanplants of the cultivar `Gloria`.

Plants of the new Azalea can also be compared to plants of the cultivar`Lara` (not patented). However in side-by-side comparisons in Geldern,Germany, under commercial practice, plants of the new Azalea have a morecompact growth habit, fuller flowers, longer postproduction longevityand flower earlier.

Plants of the new Azalea can also be compared to plants of the newAzalea's sibling cultivar `Sayonara` (disclosed in U.S. Plant Patentapplication Ser. No. 08/929489). However in side-by-side comparisonsconducted in Geldron, Germany, and Salinas, Calif., under commericalpractice, plants of the new Azalea differed from plants of the cultivar`Sayonara` in the following characteristics:

1. Plants of the new Azalea are more upright than plants of the cultivar`Sayonra`.

2. Plants of the new Azalea are taller than plants of the cultivar`Sayonara`.

3. Lateral branches of plants of the new Azalea are thicker and morerigid than lateral branches of plants of the cultivar `Sayonara`.

4. Plants of the new Azalea have longer leaves than plants of thecultivar `Sayonara`.

5. Plants of the new Azalea have slightly larger flowers than plants ofthe cultivar `Sayonara`.

6. Petal margins of plants of the new Azalea are less ruffled than petalmargins of plants of the cultivar `Sayonara`.

7. Petal color of plants of the new Azalea is reddish pink whereas petalcolor of plants of the cultivar `Sayonara` is lavender pink.

The new Azalea plant has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as temperature, light level, nutritionand water status without, however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The top photograph comprises a side perspective view of a typical plantof `Wendy`.

The lower photograph comprises a close-up view of typical flowers of`Wendy`. Flower and foliage colors in the photographs may appeardifferent than the actual colors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Salinas, Calif., in 12.5-cm containers under glass with daytemperatures ranging from 24° to 27° C., night temperatures ranging from13° to 16° C., and light levels averaging 4,500 footcandles.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Rhododendron simsii cultivar `Wendy`.

Parentage:

Male or pollen parent.--Rhododendron simsii cultivar `Knut Erwin`, notpatented.

Female or seed parent.--Rhododendron simsii cultivar `Heursel`, notpatented.

Propagation:

Type.--By terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--20 to 25 days at temperatures of 23° C.depending on season.

Time to develop roots.--45 to 55 days at temperatures of 23° C.depending on season.

Rooting habit.--Vigorous and finely-branched.

Plant description:

Plant form and growth habit.--Perennial, evergreen, upright andoutwardly arching, inverted triangle. Moderate vigor.

Branching habit.--Dense, very freely branching, about five lateralbranches develop after removal of terminal apex.

Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.--About 18 cm.

Plant diameter, area of spread.--About 27 cm.

Lateral branch description.--Length: About 8.5 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.Color: Immature: 145A. Mature: 166B. Texture: Moderately pubescent.Pubescence: Brown in color.

Foliage description:

Arrangement.--Alternate, single.

Leaf size, largest leaves.--Length: About 5.25 cm. Width: About 2.1 cm.

Leaf shape.--Oblanceolate.

Leaf apex.--Mucronate.

Leaf base.--Cuneate.

Margin type.--Entire.

Texture.--Durable, leathery, some glossiness. Both surfaces pubescent,upper surface relatively dense.

Color.--Young foliage, upper surface: Greener than 137A. Young foliage,lower surface: 138A. Mature foliage, upper surface: 147A. Maturefoliage, lower surface: 137C.

Petiole.--Length: About 1 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Color: 138B.

Flower description:

Natural flowering season.--Spring after sufficient cool period, forcedinto flower year round.

Flower appearance and arrangement.--Semi-double pink flowers with darkpurple-speckled/spotted centers. Flowers arranged singly at terminalswith usually about five flowers per terminal, freely flowering. Flowersface outward. Flowers persistent.

Flower diameter.--About 7.5 cm.

Flower longevity.--Four to six days depending on temperature.

Flower bud.--Rate of opening: About three days depending ontemperatures. Length: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 1.1 cm. Shape: Ovoid.Color: 63C.

Petal.--Appearance/texture: Soft, velvety, smooth, slight ruffling atmargins. Arrangement: Semi-double. Outer corolla consists of five fusedpetals and inner corolla consists of up to 5 irregularly-shaped fusedstamenoidal petaloids. Shape: Rounded with rounded apex. Margin: Entireand slightly ruffled. Length: About 4.2 cm. Width: About 3.2 cm. Color:When opening, upper surface: 63A/63B with spots/speckles, 59A, at baseof petals. When opening, lower surface: 63A. Fully opened, uppersurface: Iridescent, 63A at margin grading to 63D on inner portion withspots/speckles, 59A, at base of petals. Fully opened, lower surface:63B/63C.

Sepals.--Appearance: Five sepals fused into a star-shaped calyx.Texture: Very pubescent. Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire.Color, upper and lower surfaces: 146B.

Peduncles.--Length: About 1.5 cm. Angle: Upright. Strength: Rigid.Color: 145A.

Reproductive organs.--Androecium: Stamen number: About five, some fusedinto petaloids. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther size: About 2 mm. Anthercolor: Dark pink. Amount of pollen: Moderate. Pollen color: Dark orange.Gynoecium: Stigma shape: Rounded. Stigma diameter: About 2 mm. Stigmacolor: Green becoming light yellow with development. Style length: About3.2 cm. Style color: White to light pink. Ovary color: Green.

Disease resistance: No known Azalea diseases observed to date on plantsgrown under commercial greenhouse conditions. Plants of the new Azaleaappear to be less susceptible to diseases than other commercialcultivars.

Seed production: Seed production has not been observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Azalea plant named `Wendy`, asillustrated and described.